Register now for the summer reading at the library, 304 South St., where there are three programs covering children, teens, and adults.

The children's program, for birth to sixth grade, runs from June 17-Aug. 10, with a theme of "Dig Into Reading." Last year, 591 children were registered in the program, logging more than 5,000 reading hours—the most ever, said children's librarian Fran Hotchkiss, who adds that this year will mark the 34th annual hot dog talent show lunch, a highlight of the summer children's program.

Other fun activities planned for children at the library this summer include "Dig and Discover," a series of messy, fun science experiments for grades K-4, and "Underground Science" for older children.

"We loosely plan all our programs around the theme," said Hotchkiss. "We also will have beach week, dinosaur week and themes during storytime."

Summer reading is great for maintaining or improving children's literacy skills, she added.

"Reading is a big adventure," Hotchkiss said. "You might not be able to take a vacation, but books can take you anywhere. Maybe children can meet friends or make new ones at the library and keep in touch with school friends, too."

Children will win fun prizes for each hour of reading time logged.

The fun isn't just for kids, though. There are programs and prizes in the teen program, "Beneath the Surface," as well as the adult program, "Groundbreaking Reads."

"The programs center around being underneath," said Ben Peterson, who runs the adult program. "Maureen Esther, a professional storyteller, will be speak ing on terra cotta statues unearthed in China about a decade ago. The programs are about being under water, under the ground, and an astronomy program is about being under the sky."

Besides speakers, teens also have days with crafts, games and movies.

"During mystery week, we will play Clue," said Teen Librarian Alexa Webb. "During horror week, we have zombies. I'm just trying to create fun programs to make them feel comfortable at the library and be themselves. Come and bring your friends to a safe environment."

There is also a suggested reading list for both adults and teens.

Adults and teens will also log reading time and will compete for Best Buy gift cards in varying amounts.

Peterson said the library has coordinated the themes between all three programs to promote reading in the community and to encourage families to read together.

"If Mom and Dad are readers, children become readers, and hopefully this encourages teens as well," he said.

For more information and to register, call the library at 248-627-1460 or visit www.brandonlibrary.org.